vital signs terminology

tachycardia

fast heart rate: over 100 beats per minute

bradycardia

slow heart rate, usually below 60 beats per minute

arrythmia

irregular or abnormal rhythm of the heart

murmur

prolonged whooshing or swishing sounds caused by turbulent blood flow

gallop

extra rapid sounds (1 or 2 extra) heard, creating Lub-Dub-Dub

cardiac arrest

sudden stopping of heart action

cyanosis

bluish discoloration of the skin, lips, and/or nail beds as a result of decreased oxygen in the bloodstream

diastolic BP

the pressure created in the arteries by ventricular relaxation

systolic BP

the pressure remaining in the arteries by ventricular contraction

hypertension

high blood pressure: 150mm/100Hg

hypotension

low blood pressure: 80mm/60Hg

normotension

normal blood pressure levels, 120/80 mmHg.

malignant hypertension

life threatening high BP, can result in organ damage

prehypertension

warning sign of elevated blood pressure (no symptoms)

pulse pressure

difference between systolic (top #) and diastolic (bottom #) in mmHg

hyperventilation

rapid breathing, usually from anxiety or panic

hypoventilation

slow breathing

normal respiration rate

12-20 respirations/min

apnea

absence of respirations

tachypnea

rapid breathing rate: more than 25 breaths/min

bradypnea

slow respiratory rate, usually below 10 respirations/minute

dyspnea

difficult or labored breathing

inhalation

breathing in - diaphragm contracts and moves downward, lungs expand for oxygen

exhalation

breathing out - diaphragm relaxes and moves upward, lungs deflate and air is forced out

hypopnea

sleep related: low respiration rate for at least 10sec

stridor

harsh loud, usually inspiratory sound, often acute airway obstruction

wheezes

continuous high pitched whistle heard on expiration. Caused by narrowed/constricted airways (asthma, COPD)

rales

same as crackles: Discontinuous clicking, rattling, or bubbling heard on inspiration. Caused by fluid in alveoli - pneumonia

rhonchi

continuous low-pitched, snoring sounds on exhalation by large airways narrowed by fluid/mucus - bronchitis

crackles

same as crackles: Discontinuous clicking, rattling, or bubbling heard on inspiration. Caused by fluid in alveoli - pneumonia

anoxia

absence of oxygen

hemoglobin

protein in RBC that carries oxygen and helps transport carbon dioxide to remove waste. It is crucial for delivering oxygen to tissues and organs.

oximetry

test to measure percentage of oxygen levels in the blood using a pulse oximeter.

ischemia

inadequate amount of blood flow to part of your body (ex. cardiac ischemia, cerebral (brain) ischemia)

nociceptor

specialized sensory neuron that acts as a pain receptor

arthralgia

joint pain/stiffness (without indicating inflammation)

acetaminophen

relieves mild-to-moderate pain and reduces fever

allodynia

pain caused by a stimulus that does not normally provoke pain (nerve pain) - extreme sensitivity to pain

analgesia

insensibility to pain without loss of consciousness

cephalgia

headache medical term, or pain in the face, head, or neck - symptom

ibuprofen

nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), treat pain, fever, inflammation, ex. Advil, Motrin

narcotic

treat moderate to severe pain, AKA opiod, includes opium, induces sleep

NSAID

non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, reduce pain, fever, and inflammation

hyperthermia

high body (internal) temperature - 37.7 and above

hypothermia

low body temperature - below 35

normothermia

normal body temperature, 36.5-37.2

febrile

feverish or having a fever

malignant hyperthermia

severe reaction to certain drugs used for anesthesia causing high temp, hereditary

heat stroke

life-threatening emergency where the body's cooling fails, causing a temperature over 40C, dry skin, and confusion

heat exhaustion

treatable, moderate heat illness involving heavy sweating, dizziness, and nausea

normal oxygen saturation

95-99%- rare to have 100 bc of oxygen fluctuation

typical avg heart rate

70-72bpm

range of pulse rate

60-100 beats per minute

normal respiratory rate range

12-20

high pain level

8/10 - 10 being the highest

COPD

chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder,

white coat syndrome

hypothyroidism

post MI

myocardial infarction - a heart attack that occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked, leading to damage.

heart has been overworked, that its now tired out - lower resting HR

orthostatic hypertension

a form of low blood pressure that happens when you stand up from sitting or lying down, causing dizziness or lightheadedness.

atherosclerosis

plaque formation in the arterial walls, leading to narrowing and hardening of the arteries.

juxtoglomerular apparatus

kidney failure

anaphylaxis

a severe allergic reaction that can occur rapidly, causing symptoms such as difficulty breathing, swelling, and a rapid drop in blood pressure.

analgesics

medications used to relieve pain

fibromyalgia

pain amplification syndrome

pulmonary embolism

a blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in the lungs, usually caused by blood clots that travel to the lungs from the legs or other parts of the body (deep vein thrombosis).

hyper baric chamber

a sealed chamber that allows for high-pressure oxygen therapy

antipyretic drugs

medications used to reduce fever

hypovolemic shock

a life-threatening condition resulting from a severe loss of blood or fluid, leading to inadequate circulation and oxygen delivery to the body's tissues.